The Cheyenne Mountain Complex is a United States Space Force (USSF) installation and defensive bunker located in unincorporated El Paso County, Colorado, next to Colorado Springs. Established in 1961 and operational since 1966, it served as a vital Cold War facility.
History and Purpose:
- Constructed during the Cold War as a highly secure command center to:
- Shelter critical personnel and equipment in case of a nuclear attack
- Support air defense and aerospace warning missions
- Initially housed elements of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and the United States Strategic Command (USSTRATCOM).
- Currently serves as the alternate command center for NORAD and USNORTHCOM, and a training site for crew qualification.
Features:
- Located approximately 1,500 feet (457 meters) inside Cheyenne Mountain for protection.
- Comprises underground facilities carved into the granite rock, offering significant blast resistance.
- Equipped with advanced communication and information systems to maintain operational continuity even during emergencies.
Significance:
- Played a crucial role during the Cold War as a critical defense infrastructure.
- While its primary role has shifted, the Cheyenne Mountain Complex remains a significant asset for the USSF, providing an alternate command center and training facility.
Additional Notes:
- Owned and operated by Space Base Delta 1 under the USSF.
- Public tours of the Cheyenne Mountain Complex are not available.
Note: Although the original definition mentioned NORAD being the primary user, it’s important to be accurate and reflect the current state of the complex.
The Cheyenne Mountain Complex is a United States Space Force installation and defensive bunker located in unincorporated El Paso County, Colorado, next to the city of Colorado Springs, at the Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station, which hosts the activities of several tenant units. Also located in Colorado Springs is Peterson Space Force Base, where the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM) headquarters are located.
| Cheyenne Mountain Complex | |
|---|---|
| Part of Cheyenne Mountain Space Force Station | |
| Cheyenne Mountain, El Paso County, Colorado | |
 | |
  Cheyenne Mountain Complex  Cheyenne Mountain Complex  Cheyenne Mountain Complex | |
| Coordinates | 38°44′33″N 104°50′54″W / 38.74250°N 104.84833°W |
| Site information | |
| Operator | United States Space Force |
| Controlled by | Space Base Delta 1 |
| Site history | |
| Built | May 18, 1961 – February 8, 1966 |
| In use |
|
Formerly the center for the United States Space Command (USSC) and NORAD, the Complex monitored the airspace of Canada and the United States for missiles, space systems, and foreign aircraft through its worldwide early-warning system. Since 2008, NORAD and the USSC have been based at Peterson Space Force Base and the complex, re-designated as an Air Force station, is used for crew training and as a back-up command center if required.
The military complex has included, in the past, many units of NORAD, USSC, Aerospace Defense Command (ADCOM), Air Force Systems Command, Air Weather Service, and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). The complex's communication center is also used by the nearby U.S. Civil Defense Warning Center.
